Darkest Day (Pokémon Sw/Sh fanfic - rewrite available and in progress)

The Final Straw

With a final Aura Sphere, the final pokémon was down. The Steelix gave a defeated — and very agitated — groan, falling to the floor of the elevator before its Trainer recalled it. The Stunfisk that had been battling beside it had also fainted thanks to Hop's Cramorant. The Macro Cosmos employees gave startled yelps, dashing through the doors in which they had come from.

"Arceus, please let them be the last," Raihan growled. He was fumbling with Flygon's pokéball, still pissed that one of the enemy pokémon had taken her out.

They had been battling for what felt like hours in this wretched elevator, anxious to reach the top floor in hopes of finding Leon there. Even Hop, who had been enthusiastic to have a battle to let off some steam, was beginning to grow tired of it all.

"You guys don't know the first thing about villains, do you?" Eliana chuckled. "They keep coming and don't stop until their leader's down. Even then, they divide off into segments of their own."

"Galar's been at peace for so long, though. We haven't had to deal with evil Trainers and their hordes of pokémon," Hop retorted.

Raihan, however, was interested. "How do you know so much about this?" he questioned, arching a brow.

Eliana bit her tongue, regretting saying anything. She had wanted to keep those memories locked away for as long as possible. Even Palkia's ball trembled in her bag, a little peeved at the question.

"I... had some trouble in Sinnoh," she explained slowly. "Team Galactic and all that shit. You know how it is. Kanto and Team Rocket, Unova and Team Plasma. Then there was that uprising of Team Flare in Kalos..."

"Didn't they almost destroy the world?"

"Yeah. Turns out bringing the God of Death out of its beauty sleep wasn't exactly the best idea." She chuckled, then her eyes snapped wide open as she suddenly realized something. "Kalos," she said desperately. Raihan and Hop cocked a brow at her. "Kalos was at war three thousand years ago. Apparently life and death itself were neck and neck. I never thought about it, but now it makes so much sense..."

"What? What makes sense?" Raihan eyed her in curiosity and slight concern. Elaina's eyes were glazed over in deep thought.

"The Darkest Day. Galar suffered the Darkest Day the same time. Three thousand years ago," she explained. "They have to be connected!"

"Alright, I'm confused," Hop interjected. "You guys are always going on about the Darkest Day. It's just an old campfire horror story." He paused at the knowing look on the two's faces. "Right?"

"Later," Eliana told him. She gestured for the exit of the elevator, situated right above them. The glass ceiling of the tower presented the night sky for them, a couple Rookidee nests situated on the smooth material. "Go get your brother."

"I think not," hissed a familiar voice.

It was Oleana. She was standing at the edge of the platform, arms crossed and a fowl glare contorting her features. A Froslass hovered elegantly at her side, taking the spot where the Garbador and Salazzle had been.

"The Champion must not be distracted," she spat, baring her teeth in an almost feral way. "I will do whatever it takes to ensure that."

Hop stepped forwards bravely, throwing Dubwool's pokéball into the air. In a flash of blue, the sheep-like pokémon appeared, battle ready and ready to fight to the very end.

Eliana stopped Raihan from bringing out a pokémon of his own. "Don't. This is his battle."

The Dragon Tamer frowned, but let his hand fall away from the pokéballs strapped to his belt (which had been concealed by his sweatshirt). His expression read, If he ends up getting himself killed, I blame you.